School Programs

Program

In the United States, 20 million women and 10 million men suffer from a clinically significant eating disorder at some time in their life, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, or an eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS) For various reasons, many cases are likely not to be reported. Eating Disorders are the most deadly of all mental illnesses, and 95% of those who have eating disorders are between the ages of 12 and 25. Rewrite Beautiful speaker, Irvina Kanarek educates students on the harms of eating disorders, and provides a creative alternative to seeing their beauty; emphasizing the importance of being role models to create positive change. Taking the students on a journey through her own personal struggles with an eating disorder, Irvina teaches the physical, mental and social impact of the disease. Irvina identifies the warning signs and creates an environment that removes the stigma of the disease with vulnerability and humor. Irvina empowers students with the tools to be role models to Rewrite Beautiful in their own community.

Irvina educates her audience in an engaging, creative and fun way. The program includes the following:

Eating disorder and addiction education and prevention

Live eating disorder testimony

Dispelling myths and rumors about eating disorders

A creative approach to changing how students see beauty into actions of creativity kindness and strength

Beauty cards for all students

Wristbands for program participants

School programs are 50 minutes. *Plus an additional 30 minutes after the presentation where Irvina is available to answer students questions one-on-one.

The Rewrite Beautiful assembly is available for a $1000 assembly fee, *plus travel costs.

You can get more information about booking a Rewrite Beautiful assembly by emailing Irvina at, irvinak@gmail.com

Irvina

Irvina Kanarek, Speaker and Author

Irvina Kanarek has been a support counselor in an eating disorder rehab and is an eating disorder speaker. She is the author of How To: Rewrite Beautiful- You Can Be A Hot Mess Today and A World Changer Tomorrow and the Executive Director of Rewrite Beautiful, which has been in partnership with Girls Inc., YWCA, Element Eden, The University of California, Irvine, Orangewood Children’s Home, Tri Delta and many more organizations.

In today’s world, eating disorders are a complicated and taboo subject. Administrators, teachers and parents often don’t know what to say to prevent students from experimenting with eating disorders or how to effectively help those currently struggling. Students don’t want to be given advice by people who have not had the same experiences. They want to talk to a speaker who is in touch with the reality of their lives and struggles. Irvina Kanarek is a refreshing change from the typical, dry psychology speaker.

Irvina understands the pressures, heartaches, hopes, and dreams of young women of this generation. Students listen and engage with Irvina, inspired by her message that when it comes to beauty, “Rewriting is possible.”

Irvina has personally overcome her struggle with an eating disorder. For eight years she bounced between anorexia, bulimia and compulsive overeating. Irvina knows the importance of educating students, the signs of eating disorders and provides resources to help students struggling. She teaches students how to help their friends and themselves. Blending education, truth and humor, Irvina’s story is powerful and relevant to all who hear it.

Testimonials

Take a look at what some faculty, students, parents and workshop participants have said about Irvina’s assemblies:

"I have become a more confident and resilient person throughout working with Rewrite Beautiful. This has changed my life in such a positive way. If there had been something like this when I was in high school or a little girl I could have been prevented years of struggle, depression and destructive behavior." – Natalie Deshotels, Beautiful Actionista, Cal State Long Beach

"“Rewrite Beautiful gave me more knowledge on why people put their bodies through diseases and how I can help a friend if they ever start showing signs." – McKenzie Soldin, Student, Costa Mesa High School

Rewrite Beautiful was both informative and touching. After the assembly I found that I began to picture myself in a different way rather than just my appearance." – Alyssa Dasca, Student, Costa Mesa High School

"I brought Rewrite Beautiful in because I felt that the subject matter was so important to be presented to middle and high school students. I want my girls to be confident and high positive body images, I know how hard high school can be and how stressed the girls get at times, I wanted to give them any opportunity I can to make sure they know help is out there and they are not alone, if any type of situation arises for them." – Kori Johnson, Cheerleading Coach, Costa Mesa High School

“What made me desire to have the message of Rewrite Beautiful taught to my students was that in all of my years as a student and as a teacher I have never heard the message Rewrite Beautiful delivers; beauty is not what the world says is beautiful, it is our actions; the things that we tend to overlook. My students still talk about the day Irvina came to make Rewrite Beautiful art with them. Thank you Rewrite Beautiful for showing them that each one of them is beautiful in their own ways, something they can keep with them forever!” – Jenna Duarte, Administrator, Whittier Christian School, Whittier, CA

"Thank you for the incredible Vision and Street Art Workshop you presented to Women of Pride Saturday. YOU inspired us! YOU gave us a purpose! YOU presented a solution! We loved YOU! Thank you for your dedication and giving nature to help others. It is commendable. YOU inspired us all! We love you! Women of Pride love you!" – Cathy Thomas “CT”, Mother, Women of Pride, Newport Beach, CA

Book An Assembly

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Fundraise

The best way to bring Rewrite Beautiful on campus is to reach out to your school PTA and/ or school board. Most likely they will fund the visit. If funds are still limited we suggest the following 8 ways to fundraise to bring Rewrite Beautiful to your school, yourself:

SHARE

Share Rewrite Beautiful with another school in your area on the same day. The Rewrite Beautiful program fee is cut in HALF for your school if you share Rewrite Beautiful with another school. Rewrite Beautiful can speak at your school in the morning, a neighboring school in the afternoon and then catch a flight home. Rewrite Beautiful speaks to more students, you save money…it's a win for everyone. Rewrite Beautiful is super easy to promote to other schools and decision makers…just forward them a link to www.RewriteBeautiful.org and share your plan.

ASK

Ask your school administration for funding from the Associated Student Body fund. For teacher in-service programs, ask about Staff Development -- Title VI funding.

PLAN

Plan to integrate and highlight Rewrite Beautiful into a major theme such as Heath Week, National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, Women’s History Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, International Women’s Day, Health day, etc. Depending on your theme, federal grant money might be available. For example, Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (SDFSCA) might approve a funding request for a speaker who addresses alcohol and drug prevention, sexual abstinence, tobacco use, teen pregnancy, gangs, crime and violence prevention. Check with your school district or federal government office to find out who is dispensing these funds in your state. Request an application form.

APPLY

Apply for other grant monies from your state by contacting your State Department of Human Services and State Department of Education. They can direct you to the correct office - for example, the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division. Contact other local agencies in your county that already have grant monies from state agencies. For example, the Criminal Justice Department or Department of Public Safety might have distributed funds into mental health agencies or programs for mentoring youth, etc.

CONTACT

Contact your school's PTO/PTA. Share your plans with them. They are more likely to contribute funds if your plan is well thought out.

STUDENT LEADERS

CREATE

Create a win-win situation. Contact several of your larger local businesses, especially those related to services for teens and their families such as rehabilitation centers, etc.. Ask for the owner, CEO or Community Services Department. If they are willing to help sponsor the speaker, you can exchange the favor by announcing their support to your students and parents.

INVITE

Invite multiple clubs on campus to participate and help in a fund raising project. A cooperative effort helps students collaborate and learn about the realities of time and effort in acquiring funding in the real world.